Senate Tasks Police to Preclude Jungle Justice

The Senate yesterday condemned the rising cases of jungle justice in the country, saying acts of barbarism must stop.Adopting a motion sponsored by Gbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos East) and supported by Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), the Senate asked the police to immediately confirm or deny recent occurrence of mob actions in Lagos and other states.
The lawmakers urged the police to fish out perpetrators of the barbarism and ensure they were brought to book. The upper legislative chamber also urged the Senate Committee on Judiciary to urgently accelerate the passage of the anti-jungle justice bill before it.

The attorney-general of the federation, state attorneys-general and the police were urged to show greater sense of duty in apprehension and prosecution of offenders. They were admonished to protect younger persons.

Speaking on the motion titled “Condemning the rising cases of jungle justice in the country,” Ashafa said the lack of move against nasty behaviour had led to Nigeria being tagged as one of the countries with the worse cases of jungle justice in the world, despite being a religious country.

The lawmaker, who described the growing culture of some citizens taking the law into their own hands and meting out justice as they deem fit as most reprehensible, noted that section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to life and that no Nigerianís life should be taken except in accordance with the rule of law.

In his contribution, Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) said it was quite unfortunate that mob justice was becoming a way of life in communities, towns and villages. He attributed the situation to the loss of confidence among the people, the government and the law enforcement agencies.

Mao Ohuabunwa (PDP, Abia North) blamed the situation on the level of hunger in the country and the loss of confidence in the security agencies to defend them. He said it was a bad omen for the current administration and the country.Senate President Bukola Saraki said:
“I think I will say a nation where people begin to take laws into their own hands has a very dangerous situation and we must work to ensure that the rule of law is always strictly adhered to.

Saraki urged the Senate Committee on Police to liaise with the policemen and other security agents, adding that ìwe must reassure our people that we have laws and we have agencies to protect them